Barcoo Shire Council Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting Of
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BARCOO SHIRE COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE BARCOO SHIRE COUNCIL HELD AT THE INFORMATION CENTRE, WINDORAH, ON MONDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2008 COMMENCING AT 9:06AM ATTENDANCE: Councillors B Scott (Mayor), M Pratt (Deputy Mayor), I Groves, P Batt, P Hubbard CEO Michael Parker, Acting CEO Gordon Webley Mayor Cr Scott opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Gordon for his stewardship during the absence of the CEO. APOLOGIES Nil CONFIRMATION OF MEETING MINUTES RESOLUTION: 2008.11.1 That the minutes of the General Meeting of the Barcoo Shire Council held on Monday 13 h October 2008 be confirmed as a true account of the events. Moved: Cr Hubbard Seconded: Cr Groves CARRIED: 5/0 BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING Community Groups Governance Traning The Chief Executive Officer to investigate funding under the Blueprint for the Bush. 1 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 MEMBERS’ BUSINESS Item 1 Cr Hubbard • New airport terminal building security grills removal Item 2 Cr Batt • Mayne River crossing – safety aspects of side rail to be considered, or a kerb Item 3 Cr M Pratt • Shire Ball 2009 – Suggested 17 th April 2009 at Stonehenge • RAPAD – promote the region for tourism and as a place to live – use website for employment potential & residential options. Council to consider advertising as a avenue, and incorporation of opportunities in Shire brochure. Business Development in the Shire RESOLUTION: 2008.11.2 That the Chief Executive Officer obtain appropriate legal advice as to how Council may support the development of business interests within the Shire. Moved: Cr Pratt Seconded: Cr Hubbard CARRIED: 5/0 • Fuel Rebate Scheme – Cr Pratt questioned how the Rebate Scheme may be extended to be available to all residents of remote areas • Council to write to the Federal Treasurer seeking advice as to the timing of the promised review of the taxation system. The Council Meeting broke for morning tea at 10:40am and resumed at 11:05am. Mr Mike Brown, Manager of Works & Services was in attendance when the meeting resumed. Item 4 Cr Groves • Romula Mail Road – causeway needs repair • Conniston-Hammond Downs Grid is full • Hammond Downs-Retreat Road has boggy patches Item 5 Cr B Scott • 29 th 30 th October – tour of Shire with Senator Trood • 5th 6th November – RAPAD & ORRG Meeting – Longreach (Roads of Regional Significance to be confirmed) 2 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 WORKS & SERVICES REPORT RESOLUTION: 2008.11.3 That the Works and Services Report prepared by Michael Brown, Works Manager and Dan Pitman, Workshop Supervisor be received and noted. Moved: Cr Groves Seconded: Cr Hubbard CARRIED: 5/0 ATTENDANCE: Mr Mike Brown departed the meeting at 11:45am. EXECUTIVE REPORTS Executive Report RESOLUTION: 2008.11.4 That the Executive Report prepared by Gordon Webley, Acting Chief Executive Officer be received and noted. Moved: Cr Pratt Seconded: Cr Groves CARRIED: 5/0 Agenda 10.11.08 Item 6 Funding Applications – 2008/2009 Rural Living Infrastructure Program (RLIP) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Minister for Main roads and Local Government, Warren Pitt MP, has invited applications from Councils for funding under the 2008/09 allocation of the Rural Living Infrastructure Program (RLIP) Application should be lodged with the Regional Office (Rockhampton) by the close of business on 31 st January 2009. RESOLVED That Council lodge an application for funding under the Rural Living Infrastructure Program and consider the following projects:- Memorial Park Toilets, Jundah Hall upgrade, tourist information signage about heritage aspects of the towns and furniture for the Windorah Community Centre. 3 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 EXECUTIVE REPORTS cont. Agenda 10.11.08 Item 7 Clean Up Australia Day 2009 – Expression of Interest EXECUTIVE SUMMARY : Clean Up Australia Ltd has announced that the next Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday 1 st March 2009. Clean Up Australia Day is Australia’s largest community based environmental event. Organisers of the event are seeking Council’s support towards the program which critical to help clean up, fix up and conserve the environment. RESOLUTION: 2008.11.5 That Council lodge an Expression of Interest to confirm Barcoo Shire Council’s logistical support of Clean Up Australia Day 2009 and promote and arrange for the provision of an additional rubbish collection for the towns of Jundah, Stonehenge and Windorah in March 2009. Moved: Cr Pratt Seconded: Cr Hubbard CARRIED: 5/0 Agenda 10.11.08 Item 8 Solar Energy Installation – Administration Office, Jundah EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: As part of the initial proposal by Ingenero to supply and install a solar energy system at Council’s Administration Office, Ingenero also indicated that it would investigate the opportunity to provide an integrated solar/battery/diesel power solution to cattle stations in the Shire. Ingenero has reviewed the proposal and now seeks Council’s views on an amended proposal. RESOLVED That the report be received. 4 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 EXECUTIVE REPORTS cont. Agenda 10.11.08 Item 9 Consideration of Projects for Funding by Australian Government – Local Government Infrastructure EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In a media release dated 14 th October 2008 the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government indicated that “the Rudd Government will fast track its nation-building agenda to help shield Australians from the global financial crisis”. In response, Australian Local Government Association and Local Government Association of Queensland President Cr Paul Bell had indicated local government could get started on the backlog of public works projects almost immediately. RESOLUTION : 2008.11.6 That Council prepare and document a list of Infrastructure projects in readiness for the presentation of a submission is response to the Australian Governments new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Fund program guidelines and funding and further that the following projects be considered and prioritised:- • Extension of bitumen sealing of the Windorah-Birdsville and Windorah-Bedourie Roads • Replacement of clear water mains at Jundah • Replacement of clear water mains at Stonehenge • Refurbishment of Jundah Hall • Stage 3 of the Windorah Community Facilities Program – Construction of Swimming Pool Complex • Extension of kerb and channelling in Jundah, Stonehenge and Windorah • Extension of Ergon Energy Power Grid to rural customers Moved: Cr Hubbard Seconded: Pratt CARRIED: 5/0 5 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 EXECUTIVE REPORTS cont. Agenda 10.11.08 Item 10 2008 Christmas Break – Office Closure EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Council at its General Meeting held at Jundah on Monday 8 th September 2008, resolved to close the Administration Office and Libraries on and between 25 th December, 2008 to 4 th January 2009, with staff to take accrued RDO’s or annual leave for the four days. This matter was further discussed at the last General Meeting held at Jundah on Monday 13 th October 2008 when Council requested that an additional report be presented to Council. It was suggested that it would be in the interest of safety for staff wishing to travel long distances to spend Christmas Day with friends and relatives that leave be granted for the day prior to the Christmas Day public holiday (Thursday 25 th December) that the office and library be closed on Wednesday 24 th December 2008. RESOLUTION : 2008.11.7 That Council close the Administration Office and Libraries on Wednesday 24 th December 2008 which effectively closes the Centres from 24 th December 2008 to 4 th January 2009 (inclusive). Moved: Cr Groves Seconded: Cr Hubbard CARRIED: 5/0 Agenda 10.11.08 Item 11 Invitation to Provide Feedback to Department of Main Roads on Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Minister for Main Roads and Local Government, Warren Pitt MP, invites Council to take the opportunity to give feedback to Main Roads about where additional Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas should be located. RESOLUTION : 2008.11.8 That Council advise the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government that the following sites be considered for the construction of Heavy Vehicle Rest areas:- • Tenham turn off on the Windorah-Quilpie Road • Davenport turn off on the Windorah Bedourie Road • Jundah Township Reserve – 215kms south of Longreach and 97kms north of Windorah Moved: Cr Groves Seconded: Cr Hubbard CARRIED: 5/0 6 Unconfirmed Minutes 10 th November 2008 EXECUTIVE REPORTS cont. Agenda 10.11.08 Item 12 Mining Leases EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Council at its last General Meeting held at Jundah on Monday on 13 th October 2008 resolved to undertake a review of the current differential general rate for rate category 6 and that the Chief Executive Officer report back to Council following consultation with Alan Morton (Morton Consulting) regarding the average minimum rating for similar extractive categories. RESOLUTION : 2008.11.9 That pursuant to Chapter 14, Part 6, Division 2 of the Local Government Act 1993 Council resolves to grant a concession amounting to $710.00 to all land owners in Rate Category 6 – Mining Tenements on the grounds that Council will provide the assistance to encourage economic development in the area of opal mining for the financial year ending 30 th June 2009 and for the preservation of the cultural and historic significance of opal mining in the Shire for the financial year ending 30 th June 2009. Moved: Cr Hubbard Seconded: Cr Batt CARRIED: 5/0 Agenda 10.11.08 Item 13 Central Qld Branch – LGMA – Proposed Meeting at Windorah 23-24 March 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Central Queensland Branch of the Local Government Managers Association (LGMA) propose to hold their next meeting at Windorah on 23 rd – 24 th March 2009. It is expected that the meeting will attract some 50-60 senior Executive Officers, Mayors, Councillors and Speakers. Approval is sought for Council to host the meeting including the cost of hiring equipment etc.